Sometimes, they just need a smile…

This has been a busy couple of weeks.  Each day, there always seems to be something new. First, about a week ago, I had my largest order ever. I was so ecstatic.. a customer purchased one of every single crochet pattern I have ever designed. Every single one… Can you believe it? She was so excited and completely fell in love with my patterns. She bought one and then another, and another, until she decided that she wanted every single one… I still have a smile on my face. She told me, spend it wisely.. Oh I said, will be going toward winter coats for the kids and the electric bill.

It was the perfect time, and then it brought me to another thought-The realization that I am doing it. People truly do love my patterns, and my unique sense of style. And to think, when I first began designing, I was terrified that people would not like my work, that they would think it is too untraditional and not of the norm.

Sometimes, I think that I am too picky… If I do not like something, I will rip it out… it can be very time consuming, crocheting, then ripping out, sometimes ripping of 2-3 skeins worth. I am not sure what it is, but it is my downfall. I keep thinking, if I would stop doing this, how many more patterns I could put out. But for some reason, I just can’t do it. If I do not like something, out it goes.. Even if I partially like it, if I am not completely satisfied, forget it.

On other notes… this weekend is my son’s first High School Homecoming Dance. My little boy is growing up into a man… I am so proud of him. Such a nice boy, gets good grades, has a truly magnificent circle of friends.. He is jovial, laid back, just the kind of kid everyone wants to be around… And you know.. he is 6’4! I had the hardest time looking for black dress socks for him.. finally found some that fit shoe sizes 13-15. Since he wears a size 14 shoe, he is able to use his choir shoes- they are black. But the socks, black dress socks, oh my that was quite a hunt. But finally found some. This is a very busy week for him. This week, before homecoming is spirit week at school. Yesterday was pajama day.. and today is nerd day.. hehe… He dressed up in black slacks, a white shirt, black suspenders pulling his pants up high.. then rolling his pants up at the bottom on the inside to make them higher, with long white socks.  So, between Spirit week this week in school, homecoming this weekend,  Tuesday, he gets confirmed. Such a busy week for him.. and time is just passing by so fast.

Update: My son just arrived home from school.. and well, he won “Nerd Day.”

I guess they go by applaud.. that there is applauds for each student, and the loudest applaud wins. He is a pretty popular kid, not snooty popular, but the kind of person everyone just likes, no matter what “crowd” they are in.. Incidentally, he won a candy bar :)  Keep checking back for a photo.. need to charge the camera.

This reminds me, I went into the Thrift Store yesterday, to get him a funky tie for nerd day. The lady there did not seem happy at all. Her face kept cringing, her manner was one of a silent lashing out.. As if at any moment, she would explode. I went into the back saw a little play high chair, and a Leap Frog electronic ABC game. I asked her how much they were, since they were by everything else, but no tags. Things that have not yet been gone through are generally behind the long rope that divides the room. She sighed, walked over and looked each over for about 5 mins, continually sighing. She muttered a few times “they are not priced because I have not looked at them yet…” I had the feeling that she thought if she took enough time, I would just walk away. However, her demeanor did not distract me as all I could think of was my daughter having a wonderful time with these 2 items.

She continues to sigh, underneath my breath I felt like walking out that it was not worth it, but thoughts of my daughter did not waver my stance… Her complete depressive state was literally zapping my energy by the second… Finally, though seemingly reluctantly. she said $5 for the high chair… And then $4 for the game..

So I went browsing around the store while thinking about this.. they were both in fairly good shape.. and knew my daughter would just love them.

I do not know what happened, but I kept thinking about her and my irritation left and I felt sympathy for her.. I told her it’s a sale and then gently asked her if she was ok. She didn’t really answer, just looked away. I kept probing… not sure why. Finally, she broke down and said she was having problems with her kids.. I do not want to go into too much detail, but I could sense she was deeply, deeply hurting on the inside, and I think my instinct told me she was not trying to be a terrible saleswomen, but something really took hold of her and wasn’t letting go.. So I talked to her a few minutes to try and make her feel better. They are closed today, but tomorrow I am going to get her some flowers with a little anonymous note. I am not sure what to say in the note, but something that hopefully will bring a smile to her face.

The only reason I am not going to sign it, is that I do not want her to feel awkward, and I don’t know.. sometimes thank-you’s make me feel awkward coming from other people. What do you all think?

This made me think… for now one, when I get in the drive through and someone is in a bad mood, or any store or place for that matter, instead of thinking I will take my business elsewhere or letting them zap my energy… I am going to say “cheer up!” or something… Even if they are just a grumpy person, I think most really just need that friendly customer to give them that smile they are lacking.

Ok.. time to get back to work and then get working on dinner.. I really need to one day get a deep freezer. It would be so nice, to be able to make extras, and then throw them in the freezer, and then days like this I can just relax, heat up some food from the freezer.. Right now, if I put too much into the ice box, for some reason, it makes the food in the fridge all freeze. This has happened too many times to count, and then everything, well not everything but a LOT of things in the fridge have to be thrown out.. This fridge has cost me so much, so now, I put barely anything in there, as I cannot afford to throw food away. The landlord did have someone come out and look a couple times at it.. but he couldn’t figure it out, and basically that was the end of that.

I am thinking maybe next year I will be able to get a deep freezer.. Oh will be so nice!

Ok.. will write more tomorrow as I have a few more things to catch up on here, but work to do and dinner to make…

Take care all!

8 thoughts on “Sometimes, they just need a smile…”

  1. WOW you are one busy mama. Sounds like you are a very busy but happy person. What this world could use is a few more kind, caring and wonderful people like you. As far as your my goodness you are the best. Take care and I wish you the best.

  2. Ooops I meant to put as far as your WORK you are the best. Guess I better start proofing a bit before I hit the send button.

  3. Congratulations on that clean sweep of selling ALL your patterns to the appreciative lady!
    Congrats to your son for winning Nerd Day, it’s nice to know that nerds can finish first( even if it’s just to dress up like one!)
    And last, it was insightful of you to realise that the problem with the saleslady was not you. It takes maturity to come to that realisation and not take it personal. These days, so many people in sales posititions are crabby, unwelcoming, or just don’t talk to you. I try to remember that they just want someone to “hear” them. Usually I say, “Have you been working long today?” and most times, even if they were really quiet prior to that or grumpy, they perk right up and start talking about what misery they are feeling. Usually, bad , unfair work conditions( “I’ve been here for six hours and have not had a break yet. I’m so tired.”) Then, they feel they’ve been “heard” and are totally different people for awhile anyways!
    Now this will help you in the future. You are a wise girl to figure that out.
    And, I’m getting ready to do the “Little Maiden” for baby Meila. It’s been so hot here still and I thought it was too late to make it now that “Fall” is here in New England! I’m hoping that the #3 crochet thread I got will make gauge. Do you know if it will in your experience?

  4. Your understanding of that sales woman was so nice to hear. I’ve worked in retail and in customer service before, and sometimes you just need someone like you to come along and make you feel like you’re not alone in the world if only for a moment. I’m sure that she appreciated your concern.

  5. GrammyT- So nice to see you! I think it will work fine with a Size 3, as long as like you say you get gauge.. They are pretty close, that and a sport weight.. let me know what happens if you can get gauge with it!

  6. Candice- Thank you… I am so glad too and I do not know if I really made her feel better, but I am sure I helped her know she is not alone.. She really truly was so sad.. Hopefully next time I go in there she is in better spirits.

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